Beating Winter’s Chill

Winter is in full swing! Not ready to resign yourself to months of indoor training? Check out a few of our favorite layering pieces to keep you outdoors and toasty through the season.

2XUThermal Long Sleeve Compression Top

2XU makes some of the best highest quality compression apparel in the world. The Thermal Long Sleeve Compression Top is a great addition to the compression socks and tights that dominate the market. If you have used any 2XU apparel this is just another necessary piece you should add to your collection. Athletes are beginning to understand that compression is not just for your legs. In the case of this comfortable piece, warmth, breathability and great fit make this a perfect gift for cool weather training or as a base layer for winter sports. Reglan sleeve construction for unrestricted movement and a graduated fit provide increased circulation to reduce soreness and enhance blood flow; allowing for blood lactates to be flushed from overworked muscles. Thanks to flatlock seam construction, the piece feels like a second skin and felt the same on the 20th wearing as it did out of the package. We also highly recommend the Thermal Compression Tights; with the same materials and innovative construction, they make a great companion to the Thermal Top. The Thermal Long Sleeve Compression Top comes in black, in a full range of men’s and women’s sizing.

In my opinion, every triathletes wardrobe should contain at least one running vest and a list of layering pieces would not be complete without one. It’s no surprise that a Brooks product has made it on our Christmas Wish List as well this year, as they are consistently producing quality training pieces and are a great gift idea for any athlete on your list. The semi-fitted Essential Run Vest II has taken all runner’s needs into consideration. Wind-proof and water resistant, the vest has a full front zip, inner storm guard and zipper garage at the neck with soft fabric lining the high neck for maximum comfort. The back vent adds breathability when your base layer gets a bit toasty and the adjustable draw-string at the waist also provides for adequate temperature control. Reflective strips add to visibility, and one of my favorite details is the moisture-proof media pocket, to keep my phone or ipod pumping out the ear candy. The vest was extremely comfortable to run in and makes a great mid-layer piece. The Essential Run Vest II comes in multiple colors in men’s and women’s full sizing, and last year’s Essential Run Vest is even currently on sale. Brooks also offers a ‘Nightlife‘ version in men’s and women’s with bright, visible colors for athletes who prefer to work out in the early morning or night time.

Marino wool is the ideal fabric when considering layering in the winter. Soft and non-itchy, it’s warm but allows breathing to prevent sweat from building. It’s also naturally antimicrobial, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. It’s no surprise the purchase of old-school wool cycling jerseys has jumped in the last few years, as people realize that even the best synthetic materials are still playing catch-up. Icebreaker specializes in turning high-quality wool into technical performance layers, and the Carve Long Sleeve Zip provides the evidence. Designed for high intensity winter sports, the Carve has internal sleeve cuffs, thumb holes, side pockets and a chest pocket with a hole for your MP3 cord. My favorite thing by far, is the offset zip to prevent zip stacking. While it took a minute to get used to, not having three zippers at my throat when layering makes it a really nice feature. The Carve has an athletic cut and is offered in four colors with a full range of men’s and women’s sizing. Also recommend from Icebreaker, is the Express Long Sleeve Half Zip; a mid-weight technical base layer with flatlock stitching that feels amazing against the skin! Icebreaker offers other great long sleeve wool baselayers starting at $60 for the lightweight version. Once you try these well made, high performance layers, you’ll see they’re worth every penny.

For extreme conditions, there are few companies that have the knowledge and experience to produce the kind of products that BAFFIN creates. That’s exactly why, when we went looking for a versatile, piece that would work for athletes in extreme weather, but still allow for movement and temperature control, we went straight to BAFFIN. Having tested their products on multiple polar expeditions, we knew their promises weren’t just advertising. The Soft Shell Hood Jacket has become a staple piece for my winter sporting. I’ve used it for everything from icy morning runs, to snowshoeing, to going sledding with my kids. On the inside, there’s a warm fleece interior on the back and easy slide fabric on the front, so base layers don’t end up creeping toward the neck as you move. Multiple large pockets keep winter gloves and nutrition easily accessible and a zipper garage at the neck prevents rubbing or chaffing. Armpit two-way zippers and elastic closures on the waist and hood, help with core temperature control and closures on wrists are adjustable for big bulky gloves, or thin running gloves. The zippers are sealed to keep out wind and moisture, but one of my favorite details are the large grippy ends to all the zippers; they’re easy to grip with gloves. My husband is a mountaineer and ice climber, and I have become quite accustomed to very expensive, high-end jackets filling our closet with fewer details than BAFFIN puts into this soft shell. For athletes looking for a soft shell to wear in extreme conditions, this is a fantastic product at an incredible price. The Soft Shell Hood Jacket comes in black, in men’s sizing only, but can easily be worn by women.

About The Author

Jen has been doing triathlon for several years. She is a former bobsled pilot for America Samoa and has a passion for the outdoors; especially winter mountaineering. At home she is wife to a mountain obsessed husband and mother of three girls, but here at EnduranceReview, she is an author, Managing Editor and token chick.